Glasses: The subtle wall

[sobrique]

Ever wondered why the 'Secret Service' are stereotyped as wearing dark glasses all the time? One of the reasons is because it's more intimidating.

I've recently started to wear contact lenses, most of the time. I've started to notice a subtle difference. You see, when wearing glasses, you always have this transparent barrier between you and the rest of the world.

Now if you're wearing a good pair of glasses this barrier is fairly subtle and unobtrusive. Even so, I can't help but feel it subtly alters your perceptions of the world around. It's not all that easy to explain, but ... well this is LJ, so I'll try and put rambling into words.

Is it possible or reasonable that the fact that I'm putting a barrier between myself and everyone else, even one that's pretty much transparent, serves to increase distance from the world around me?

Comments

[mapp.livejournal.com]

Forgot what book it was that mentioned it, but it was pointing out that people in cars act as if people can't see them, even though most of what seperates them from the outside world is transparent.

[tya.livejournal.com]

Yes. I find I end up talking to the glasses rather than the eyes. It's specifically why I wear black glasses all the time I'm outdoors. If someone can't see my eyes, they've got a massive barrier to over come before they can engage me in conversation. As I don't like "people" very much, I find it's a huge advantage in day to day living. Even people (not "people") who know me well can find it a bit unnerving.

[purp1e-magic.livejournal.com]

I feel more exposed when I'm without my glasses. How much of that is the wind in my eyes, and the fact that I don't see quite as well, I don't know. But being pregnant your eyesight changes, and lately I've had days I don't need glasses. It does feel different to meet people without glasses on.

[malal.livejournal.com]

I can't remember where, but something cyberpunky made a very good case that cyber eyes were one of the most damaging implants to your humanity.

[feanelwa.livejournal.com]

Yes, I found that when I wore glasses, everything felt just too far away to feel properly.

Dark glasses drive me nuts. I can't tell whether somebody can hear me and is listening, or is just standing there wondering what that thing in the corner is with a vague impression that somebody near them might be talking.

[ihilate.livejournal.com]

I feel more exposed *with* my glasses. I think it's a fighting thing. But I almost feel like a different person, depending on whether I'm wearing lenses or glasses.

[purp1e-magic.livejournal.com]

Actually, you also look totally different with or without glasses. I don't think the same is true of me.

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

I think everyone looks different with or without glasses. I sort of tend to think they also do have an effect on the perceptions of the world around you. This vaguely concerns me, and makes me wonder if I've been doing myself psychological damage for the last 20 or so years. Well, that sounds a bit dramatic, but ...

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

I think I may have seen that one too. Now, glasses are a bit more subtle than digitised feeds into your optic nerve, but it's still the case that it _is_ changing how you see things.

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

Ah, so it's not just me going crazy. I'd tend to agree, but ... well it's not something I really noticed before.

[purp1e-magic.livejournal.com]

Having different perceptions can only be a good thing. You see different things in your world, dpending on a lot of things - state of mind, emotion, physical states, age, experience and who you're with. Glasses are just one of those things. I don't see how it could be harmful, just different.

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

Being shut in a box for 10 years would alter my perceptions. I am unconvinced that would count as 'only being a good thing'.

OK, that's a bit of an extreme analogy, but understanding of conditions or a point of view may be a good thing. Having spent significant amounts of time with possibly distorted perceptions might not be so good.

(And yes, that's a lot of mights and possiblies. I'm not entirely certain that this is the case, but I'm starting to have suspicions)